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General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.
Pages taken from the planner, by email: who to phone first, and a blank records sheet.
Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.
Within the county for which he has been elected or appointed, the register shall have jurisdiction of the probate of wills, the grant of letters to a personal representative, and any other matter as provided by law.
Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §901
The will of a decedent domiciled in the Commonwealth at the time of his death shall be probated only before the register of the county where the decedent had his last family or principal residence.
Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3131
(a) Original probate.--A will may be offered for probate at any time.
A will offered for original or subsequent probate more than one year after the testator's death shall be void against a bona fide grantee or holder of a lien on real estate of the testator if the conveyance or lien is entered of record before the will is offered for probate.
Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3133(a), (c)
The personal representative, immediately after the grant of letters, shall cause notice thereof to be given in one newspaper of general circulation published at or near the place where the decedent resided … and in the legal periodical, if any, designated by rule of court for the publication of legal notices, once a week for three successive weeks, together with his name and address
Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3162
A personal representative, at his own risk and without the filing, audit or confirmation of his account, may distribute real or personal property and such distribution shall be without liability to any claimant against the decedent, unless the claim of such claimant is known to the personal representative within one year after the first complete advertisement of the grant of letters to such personal representative or thereafter but prior to such distribution.
Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3532(a)
0 percent on transfers to a surviving spouse or to a parent from a child aged 21 or younger;
4.5 percent on transfers to direct descendants and lineal heirs;
12 percent on transfers to siblings; and
15 percent on transfers to other heirs, except charitable organizations, exempt institutions and government entities exempt from tax.
Inheritance tax payments are due upon the death of the decedent and become delinquent nine months after the individual's death. If inheritance tax is paid within three months of the decedent's death, a 5 percent discount is allowed.
Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Inheritance Tax
OC 07 - Notice of Claim (Filed Pursuant to 20 Pa. C.S. § 3532)
RW 07 - Notice of Estate Administration Pursuant To Pa. O.C. Rule 10.5
Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · UJS Orphans' Court forms OC 07, RW 07
The register, at the request of any party in interest, shall issue a citation directed to any person alleged to have possession or control of a will of a decedent requiring him to show cause why it should not be deposited with him. In the absence of good cause shown, the register shall order the will to be deposited with him.
Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3137
A couple. A parent. An adult child and a parent, doing it together. One sitting starts it; keep it current, and tell someone where it is.
